Gordon Moore Intel co-founder dies at 94

Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, died peacefully this evening in Hawaii, surrounded by his family, at the age of 94, according to Intel and the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation. Moore co-founded Intel in 1968 with his longtime friend Robert Noyce, but he is best known as the inventor of Moore’s Law.

Moore’s Law, first published in 1965, predicted that the number of transistors on an integrated circuit would double every year. This law served as a goal for the semiconductor industry, propelling it forward. Gordon Moore revised this law in 1975 to predict a doubling of transistors every two years, which, despite much debate, has largely held true to the present day.

Gordon Moore and Noyce founded Intel in July 1968 after being part of the Fairchild Semiconductor founding group. Andy Grove was their first hire, and the trio guided Intel to success.

Intel began with $2.5 million in investment and produced Static RAM (SRAM) memory. Later on, the company shifted its focus to processors, releasing the Intel 4004, the first commercially available microprocessor, in 1971. Later, in 1978, Intel pioneered the x86 instruction set by releasing the now-legendary Intel 8086, the first building block of its empire based on x86 architectures. The company is still focused on CPUs and is now worth $167 billion.

Prior to being named the CEO and chairman of the board in 1979, Gordon Moore first held the positions of executive vice president until 1975 and then president of the company. In 1987, he stepped down from his CEO position. Moore remained the chairman up until 1997, when he was given the title of chairman emeritus.

Gordon Moore was an active philanthropist in his later years, particularly in the fields of environmental conservation, science, and patient care improvements. Moore and his 75-year-old wife founded the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, which has given more than $5.1 billion to charity since its inception in 2000.

Pat Gelsinger, Intel CEO, said, “Gordon Moore defined the technology industry through his insight and vision. He was instrumental in revealing the power of transistors, and inspired technologists and entrepreneurs across the decades. We at Intel remain inspired by Moore’s Law and intend to pursue it until the periodic table is exhausted. Gordon’s vision lives on as our true north as we use the power of technology to improve the lives of every person on Earth. My career and much of my life took shape within the possibilities fueled by Gordon’s leadership at the helm of Intel, and I am humbled by the honor and responsibility to carry his legacy forward.” 

Moore received the National Medal of Technology in 1990 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002, the nation’s highest civilian honour. His wife of 75 years, Betty Moore, sons Kenneth and Steven, and four grandchildren survive him.

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